Youngsters get hooked on Kids Fishing Day

Hilton FloresJim Scarcella of Dongan Hills helps Jaylin Thomas of Clifton learn how to fish during the "Kids Fishing Day," at the Ocean Breeze Fishing Pier.

More than 50 children from underserved communities turned out to do some fishing yesterday morning for the Kids Fishing Day at the Ocean Breeze Fishing Pier.

The event, sponsored by Borough President James Molinaro's office and with volunteers from the Fishermen's Conservation Association (FCA), provided the young fishing enthusiasts with all the necessities -- a fishing pole, tackle box, a T-shirt and even their own volunteer fisherman to coach them during the derby.

"We're taking you out fishing today, out on the pier," FCA vice chairman Bill Paciello told the children gathered around him as they anxiously waited to get a line in the water. "This is what's known as a catch and release. Every fish we catch we throw back so we could catch him again tomorrow. That's called conservation. That's what we want to do."

After their briefing on the rules of engagement, the children started catching fish.

"What we're trying to do is to give the children the opportunity to do some fishing and to introduce them to a great sport -- and introduce them to what's available right here on Staten Island," Molinaro said. "You don't have to go out to some other borough or some other state to do what you could do here."

All participants received trophies, but bigger trophies were given for the first fish caught, most fish and biggest fish.

Jaylin Thomas of Clifton, with the help from volunteer Jim Scarcella of Dongan Hills, wasted no time as Jaylin reeled in the first fish of the day -- which measured three inches which regardless, of size, guaranteed him the first fish trophy.

"It was exciting," Jaylin said of his catch, and he confidently admitted that he would catch more fish through the day.

Participating groups were the Empowerment Zone in Clifton; Mount Sinai United Christian Church in Tompkinsville; Fellowship Baptist Church in Mariners Harbor, and the Church of Assumption-Chapel St. Paul in New Brighton.